Storytelling in Compliance Training

The Power of Storytelling in Compliance Training: Lessons from Mary Shirley's 'Living Your Best Compliance Life'

September 14, 2023

My dear friend and fellow compliance professional, Mary Shirley, recently released her latest book: "Living Your Best Compliance Life: 65 Hacks and Cheat Codes to Level Up Your Compliance Program." This marks Mary's second book, but it's the first where she took the helm as the sole author.

Mary and I have a long history of collaboration, often turning to each other for guidance and frequently sharing the stage as presenters at the SCCE's CEI conferences. Having recently transitioned from an in-house role to a consulting position, I understood the immense value Mary's insights could provide. Eager to learn from her, I grabbed a copy of her book and delved into its contents, searching for ways to apply her "65 Hacks and Cheat Codes" to benefit my clients. I can confidently say that I wasn't disappointed.

One particular hack, Hack No. 56, immediately caught my attention: "Seeking Storytelling Inspiration from Tried-And-True Stories." Mary makes a compelling case for the effectiveness of storytelling as a training method. She emphasizes that the key to successful training is making your audience genuinely care about how their actions impact themselves, others, the organizations they work for, and sometimes even their friends and family.

For years, I've been employing the classic tale of Humpty Dumpty in my ethical decision-making training sessions:

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again."

The message is clear: if your misconduct shatters the trust of those around you, just like Humpty, there's no easy way to rebuild it. This simple nursery rhyme effectively conveys the gravity of the situation. But then, I take it a step further. I share a real-life story of an individual who committed a compliance violation and illuminate the profound impact it had on his relationships with his coworkers and those who reported to him. This real-world example brings the message home in a way that resonates deeply with the audience.

Mary Shirley's book not only provides valuable insights but also serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling in conveying important messages in the realm of compliance. Her work continues to inspire and guide professionals like me as we strive to create more ethical and compliant workplaces.

To hear more about Mary's hacks, visit: https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/mary-shirley-level-up-book/.